The Brooklyn Nets squeaked through the Milwaukee Bucks, 126-123. It was a whirlwind game with lots of crazy plays from Kyrie Irving. Without Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons or Joe Harris, the little star faced a mostly healthy Bucks team and punished them time and time again.

Kyrie finished with 38 points, a season high for the former No. 1 overall.

But this is Kyrie we’re talking about, so the post-game discussion wasn’t just about crosses or pull-ups. It was the first time Irving had been available after a game since Feb. 12. And that means we haven’t had a chance to hear his thoughts on some of NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s comments about Irving’s controversial part-time status, or at least the rules that brought Irving down. to become one since he does not want to be vaccinated.

According to ESPN’s Andrew Lopez, Commissioner Silver had this to say just a few weeks ago:

“This law in New York, what’s weird to me is that it only applies to home players,” Silver said. “I think if ultimately this rule is about protecting people who are in the arena, it just doesn’t make sense to me that an unvaccinated away player can play at Barclays but not the home player. To me, that’s a reason why they should take a look at this prescription.

And it’s the same day New York City Mayor Eric Adams admitted to having struggled with the vaccine mandate rule himself.

The essence of this issue is that while you remain opposed to Irving not being vaccinated, which many fans do, some fans may understand that it is odd that unvaccinated athletes from other teams can perform at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and local athletes can’t. Both the league commissioner and the town’s mayor, Silver, seem perplexed by this “quirk”.

So, after the Nets won, Irving was asked if he “appreciated what Commissioner Silver had said in Irving’s defense.”

“I know his job isn’t easy….My level of respect has gone to a whole new level for him and I’m just grateful that he did that he really took one for the team ….”

–#nets Kyrie Irving was asked if he appreciates Adam Silver speaking ‘in his defense’ recently about part-time status pic.twitter.com/ej8HqJMPjF

— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) February 27, 2022

“Oh yeah, absolutely,” Irving said. “And great to have a relationship with [Silver] and i know his job is not easy standing in the fire sometimes on behalf of our league so my level of respect has gone to a whole new level for him and i’m just grateful that he did . He really took one for the team and I’m grateful to him. Like I said, we want to set a good example, for the world and what we do, and we try to stand up for what’s right and respect everyone’s decisions and personal beliefs.

It’s unclear whether Adam Silver feels like he “defended” Irving, or more so that he was just honestly commenting on the situation. But it’s abundantly clear that Irving felt Silver was on his side.

Silver’s words, of course, carry a lot of weight. And since New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has already taken steps to rescind some vaccine and mask mandates, it’s now up to the city’s mayor to take the next step…if Adams feels that this is the appropriate decision.

Adams mentioned that he doesn’t want to send “mixed signals” that the city is clear about this ongoing pandemic. But he joked that a Boston Celtics fan may have made this rule which, again, allows unvaccinated road players to hoop in Brooklyn, where one of the most marketable athletes in the game can’t make hoop.

But it’s intriguing to hear that Irving’s level of respect has gone to another level for the Commish. We will stay glued to the news. Mayor Adams said that over the next few weeks he will continue to review this issue. Who knows, maybe Irving will have some props for him next month too?